HB 2395 Update | Full steam ahead into the season

||| FROM DARREN AUSTIN for ONBUOY |||

I wanted to share a brief update on HB 2395 and what it means going forward.

As some of you may have heard, the bill did not make it out of committee this session and will not advance to the House floor this year. A few members who contacted their Representatives were notified directly, so I wanted to be sure everyone heard this update from the OnBuoy team.

The bill was held in committee due to a concern raised by the Suquamish Tribe. Given the short legislative session this year, there wasn’t enough time to address that concern in the thoughtful, collaborative way it deserves. The encouraging news is that we’re now engaged in constructive dialogue with Tribal representatives to strengthen the proposal and build broader support for the next session.

It’s also important to share that the initiative itself has been extremely well received. Every legislator we spoke with expressed support, and the response from the boating community has been overwhelmingly positive — including many encouraging conversations with boaters, yacht charters, and environmental advocates at the Seattle Boat Show last week.

Most importantly, this development does not change OnBuoy’s direction or momentum. HB 2395 was intended to clarify state regulations around recreational moorage sharing, not to enable or restrict the model itself. OnBuoy continues to forge full steam ahead, guided by our stewardship-based approach that emphasizes responsible use, environmental care, and alignment with the intent of existing regulations.

Looking ahead, I’m feeling genuinely optimistic. The boating season is right around the corner, awareness of OnBuoy continues to grow, and support for responsible moorage sharing is stronger than ever. If you’re willing, one of the most helpful things you can do is spread the word — especially to friends and neighbors with moorages they may be open to sharing responsibly.

Thank you for being part of this community and for helping set a higher standard for stewardship on our waterways. I’m grateful for each and every one of you who make this community the special gift that it is. 

And finally — congratulations to the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday’s Super Bowl win! A great reminder that patience, teamwork, and playing the long game pay off. We’ll be at the parade celebrating the win on Wednesday. Hope to see some of you there. 

Fair winds!